Our latest guest speaker was political reporter, Wendy March. He is the longest tenured political reporter in the Tampa Bay area. He had a great deal of knowledge and experience to lend is.
Mr. March did a good job at keeping the class included on how he would obtain records, all while giving us real-life examples. He talked about it taking almost 2 months to obtain some public records back before the Internet. This put some things in prospective. I can no longer complain about our project we have to do.
He told us a story about the only time he ever got somebody indicted through a story. That was an interesting story and really caught my attention because he got his information of public records.
The article is about political contributions to Bill Clinton's campaign for his second term as President. There was a guy named Mark Jiminez who was Florida's largest Democratic National Committee contributor.
Something strange about him though is that people amongst his company, Future Tech, had donated the largest amount they could for a nominee. Mr. March then explained to us the difference between hard and soft money. There's a cap on how much an individual can give to a nominee, hard money, but no cap when it comes to a political party, soft money. Also a corporation can't make campaign contributions at the Federal Level.
Mr. March found a suspicious trend amongst Future Tech employees. They were all donating the highest possible donation to Bill Clinton's campaign. Looking through public records, Mr. March started to find some interesting things about some of the donors.
Most of them had very modest homes and cars. He had multiple examples of them not only not voting, but not even registered to vote. Some were registered Republicans, others were unable to pay their own mortgage. If I'm going to give someone 1,000 dollars of my money, you better believe I'm going to do something as simple as voting.
Mr. March's article was interesting and showed what power public records can have. I until now had no idea campaign donations were public record, nor did I know anything about hard or soft money.
Mr. March was a rare blend of interesting and informative. He gave us a bunch of websites that will help a great deal for our project. They will be posted at the bottom. It was just another reason why politics can't be trusted and needs public records to keep it in check. Florida needs to do it's very best to keep it an open government. Until next time everyone.
Here's the sites:
http://maplight.org/
http://www.opensecrets.org/
http://www.votehillsborough.org/items.aspx?id=331&s=331
http://lobbyingdisclosure.house.gov/
There are many others, let me know if anyone would like me to send the rest to them.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Preston Trigg
The other day we had received a visit from Preston Trigg. He's the Director of Administration and Special Projects for the Hillsborough County Tax Collector. It was nice to have someone with a lot of experience in different fields. He used to be an editor and writer with newspapers in both North Carolina and Florida.
Preston Trigg gave us a lot of new information and restated a lot of information previously given by other presenters. He like many others talked about the wealth of public records out there. He spoke about the Official Records Index, which is also known as the OR index. He said that this would soon become our best friend for both our projects and our careers as reporters.
http://pubrec3.hillsclerk.com/oncore/Search.aspx
You can get plenty of information through the website posted like marriages, divorces, mortgages, and even law suits. Trigg had some interesting quotes for us, even one as far back as this one from Thomas Jefferson.
“The Biggest tread to people is government secrecy.”
I totally agree with Mr. Trigg when he talks about government openness and transparency. If we don't have an open government, the politicians don't have any accountability, or nobody to answer to. This will only lead to further corruption and shady business deals in order to receive more campaign dollars. Try to imagine the Politicians not having to answer to anyone. The average person doesn't trust a politician as it is, and that's with an open government.
Preston Trigg gave us an interesting website called:
http://hillstax.org/
The website above is ran by Trigg's office, and allows a person to search for information on individuals like paid taxes, property worth, and simply where their property is located. Knowing this can help when trying to investigate some stories. I like this website because it's easier to navigate through than most of the other state websites that seem to give you the run-around.
Trigg emphasized the importance of checking properties for our project. He even gave us some quick pointers on what politicians do in order to hide from these public record files. For instance, how some put property under other relatives names or theirs spouses name to hide.
He also spoke about Google-Earthing the property found. He said that it might not give us a great deal of information but at least we'll know what we're dealing with. You never know, it could lead to something.
Mr. Trigg did a great job presenting us with some facts that will without a doubt help us in the long run. Until next class visit, I will talk to you all later.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Orient County Jail
I'd like to first thank everyone for the comments on my previous posts. The opinions are much appreciated.
The latest field trip was last Thursday at the Orient County Jail. We got a tour that took us a lot deeper in than I thought we would get. I initially thought we were going to be brought in a room somewhere and informed at how to obtain certain public records for an individual if they were to be arrested and sent to the jail.
The trip started with not being able to bring anything but a notebook. Being dis aloud to bring a cellphone made me realize how strange I feel without one. That's a sad but also separate issue in its own sense.
We were taken into the area that people who are arrested for DUI's are brought. It was a very plain looking room with some benches parallel to each other. The officer told us that they have to watch the suspects that are brought for at least twenty minutes to make sure they don't swallow their own tongue or anything.
I'm not really sure I've ever been so drunk that I could swallow my tongue, or at least I don't remember if I have, so that worries me about somebody like that driving. After the hazards test, they are brought in a room called the DRE, or drug rec. room, where they are given something called the Instigmus Test. The Instigmus test checks for drugs or anything by a series of motor test done on the prisoner.
This is all eventually sent to the state attorney's office and if public record but can be obtained at the Jail.
After the DUI area we went on to booking where there were actual prisoners being booked. That was quit a shock. I didn't think they would bring us through with prisoners their. The prisoners are aloud more than just one phone call while being booked. There're aloud as many as they need until booked and then must call collect from there.
While at booking they go through a series of things before being taken into a pod. First all of their personal items are taken and air sealed in plastic and not returned to them until they are set free. Then their picture is taken and finger prints sent to the FDLE, which means the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
I'd be lieing if I told you I knew what that meant when the officers were explaining the process to us. After that they're given an orange jumpsuit to wear with a number on it. And now a quick moment for some jail facts.
1. The whole jail has a maximum prisoner capacity of 2,011
2. There are 72 pods with a capacity of 72 in each
3. There were 74,000 people booked in 2008
4. There were 72,000 booked in 2009.
Walking around the jail was an uncomfortable experience for me and I heard the same echoed throughout the class. When we went into one of pods, there were prisoners in there just staring at us. This was very strange. I felt a little more relief when we were taken into an empty pod where we could walk around and look in the actual cells.
The isolation cells seemed like the most depressing. It wasn't as bad as they make it seem in the movies. Of course Hollywood over-exaggerates everything. The cells were small and they are only aloud out of their cells for one hour a day. Just try to imagine being anywhere for 23 hours a day. That would make anyone go crazy. This was evident by the crack on one the cell doors where it looked like one of the inmate smashed their head against it.
Overall it was a good learning experience. We learned a little about public records that should help with my public official and anyone else I need to look up.
So that is the lesson I will leave you with. If you end up in jail an go to isolation, bang your head against the glass so they think you're crazy. Either that or you will end up crazy. Most of all DON'T GET ARRESTED!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Trip To Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Today we got to build off of what we've already learned previously about public records. We went to the Hilsborough County Sheriff's office and got to see the public relations aspect of there branch. The whole trip was informative and of much help. We learned about press releases and information given to reporters.
Deputy Larry McKinnon, Public Information Officer, did a good job at telling us how he and the system work in regards to the press releases. He was a former sheriff which helped that he had experience from both sides of the situation. His analogies about fighting off the hungry dogs was funny and explained in great detail the relationship with reporters. It was encouraging to hear because I always assumed there was friction amongst reporters and the police department.
The information we received about being able to go on the Hillsborough County website to look up arrests was cool. I found myself searching for friends and co-workers on the site and found out some interesting information about one of my managers. I highly recommend searching for people. It's funny what you can come up with.
http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/PublicInquiry/ArrestInquiry
This will definitely help looking up or given public officials. I guess I've never hoped for someone to get in a little trouble in my life. That would make the project a tad bit easier.
The second part of the tour was much more exciting than the first stage. We took a trip to the 911 control room where Brad Herron, who is the and his team Communication Commander of 911's Operations, and his team gave a tour and explained the inter workings of the 911 call center.
I was not aware until the trip that all 911 calls are public records. The stipulation is that the names and addresses are edited out.
I was blown away by the 911 control room. The people who gave us the tours were very polite and eager to teach us about what they do. The amount of composure it takes to be a 911 operator is incredible. I couldn't imagine having the pressure on me knowing that if I make the wrong call, someone may die.
It was reassuring to hear that the operators go through extensive training before they're even aloud on the operating floor. Then there is a supervisor monitoring all their calls they receive.
Did you know that there are different police agencies for different zone you are in at the time of the call to 911? Apparently the TPD, (Tampa Police Department) are less responsive than most other departments. I think something needs to be changed about all the zoning restrictions.
A student in our class made an example of someone suspicious being in her neighborhood, and no policeman came to check on the person actually making the call. This seems wrong, regardless of whether or not an officer came by the area to check it out.
With as organized as the actual operators in the 911 system seem, I feel like making the zones and police departments a little more organized just seems logical. What if that suspicious guy came and did harm to a neighbor? Somebody called to help, but the police didn't take it serious enough.
The other side of that coin is that they can't check every call, can they? What about the people who call for every little thing, or as they call it 911 abuse? There creates a sense of the "boy crying wolf" syndrome. I'm not sure there's a proper system that would be better than the one currently in place. Does anyone have any ideas on how to improve it?
The phone call at the end of the tour was bone-chilling. The quick thinking that must be done during times of emergency is scary. I could definitely tell that the cops in the call were in a state of panic. The fact they kept asking where the pursuit was after being repeatedly told meant right there the operator had to help them keep their composure.
Next trip is the Orient county jail. I'll keep you posted on how that trip is. I'm sure we will see plenty of interesting characters.
Deputy Larry McKinnon, Public Information Officer, did a good job at telling us how he and the system work in regards to the press releases. He was a former sheriff which helped that he had experience from both sides of the situation. His analogies about fighting off the hungry dogs was funny and explained in great detail the relationship with reporters. It was encouraging to hear because I always assumed there was friction amongst reporters and the police department.
The information we received about being able to go on the Hillsborough County website to look up arrests was cool. I found myself searching for friends and co-workers on the site and found out some interesting information about one of my managers. I highly recommend searching for people. It's funny what you can come up with.
http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/PublicInquiry/ArrestInquiry
This will definitely help looking up or given public officials. I guess I've never hoped for someone to get in a little trouble in my life. That would make the project a tad bit easier.
The second part of the tour was much more exciting than the first stage. We took a trip to the 911 control room where Brad Herron, who is the and his team Communication Commander of 911's Operations, and his team gave a tour and explained the inter workings of the 911 call center.
I was not aware until the trip that all 911 calls are public records. The stipulation is that the names and addresses are edited out.
I was blown away by the 911 control room. The people who gave us the tours were very polite and eager to teach us about what they do. The amount of composure it takes to be a 911 operator is incredible. I couldn't imagine having the pressure on me knowing that if I make the wrong call, someone may die.
It was reassuring to hear that the operators go through extensive training before they're even aloud on the operating floor. Then there is a supervisor monitoring all their calls they receive.
Did you know that there are different police agencies for different zone you are in at the time of the call to 911? Apparently the TPD, (Tampa Police Department) are less responsive than most other departments. I think something needs to be changed about all the zoning restrictions.
A student in our class made an example of someone suspicious being in her neighborhood, and no policeman came to check on the person actually making the call. This seems wrong, regardless of whether or not an officer came by the area to check it out.
With as organized as the actual operators in the 911 system seem, I feel like making the zones and police departments a little more organized just seems logical. What if that suspicious guy came and did harm to a neighbor? Somebody called to help, but the police didn't take it serious enough.
The other side of that coin is that they can't check every call, can they? What about the people who call for every little thing, or as they call it 911 abuse? There creates a sense of the "boy crying wolf" syndrome. I'm not sure there's a proper system that would be better than the one currently in place. Does anyone have any ideas on how to improve it?
The phone call at the end of the tour was bone-chilling. The quick thinking that must be done during times of emergency is scary. I could definitely tell that the cops in the call were in a state of panic. The fact they kept asking where the pursuit was after being repeatedly told meant right there the operator had to help them keep their composure.
Next trip is the Orient county jail. I'll keep you posted on how that trip is. I'm sure we will see plenty of interesting characters.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Chris Davis
I was completely blown away by Chris Davis's presentation. The level of commitment him and his staff have to their jobs is inspiring. As soon as he started speaking, it was obvious he loved what he did. Which is exactly what all of us in class, one way or another, are trying to do. The amount of time and money the paper is willing to put into investigations shows what they are all about. It doesn't seem to be about money, but more about the actual facts or news of every day life.
The investigation by his staff at the Herald Tribune on house flipping and how it crippled the banks was interesting to learn about. I had heard about house flipping in the past, but never the extent he presented. Even though, as he said, the maps were not completely accurate, it still said a great deal about where the flipping was happening.
It taught me much about the proper way to obtain records for an investigation. They searched through almost 18 million home purchases over the span of 10 years to look through some of the more suspicious purchases. Their criteria for a "suspicious purchase" was within 90 days or a 30% increase in value.
That being said, with all the time spent searching through the records, it was how they presented the information that caught my attention. The Internet database that showed the web of connections to the flippers was presented perfectly. They way you could move the mouse over a picture/name, and see exactly who they were connected to really drive home the point. This showed just how shady the business of flipping homes was.
When Chris showed us the links about these house flippers, I immediately thought about pending lawsuits. I assumed most of them would sue for libel and force the paper to take their investigation off their website. He explained however that they are protected because they didn't show reckless disregard for the truth.
Overall this was an interesting presentation by Chris. The teacher investigation called "Broken Trust," was scary. He found teachers exposing themselves to students and not being fired. The teachers would just go to another school. This doesn't make parents feel at ease about sending their children to public schools. Something needs to be done about this situation. All the Herald Tribune can do is present the cases to the public and hope out-cry comes about. I think if a teacher gets consistent complaints, they should have their teaching certificates revoked indefinitely. There should be some investigating done into all complaints filed.
Finally on a seperate issue, he taught us about Barbara Peterson, who is apart of the first rights foundation. She got something passed that gave reporters access to social security numbers. It would have helped Chris if it were passed earlier. He tried to find out the teacher's test scores before recieving teaching certificates. They had a list of teacher's scores but it didn't have the names next to them, rather the social security numbers. Chris may want to go back and look into this.
Knowing how well the teachers did on their tests I feel is the public and parent's rights.
How does everyone else feel about this issue? How about the house flipping, should they be in jail?
The investigation by his staff at the Herald Tribune on house flipping and how it crippled the banks was interesting to learn about. I had heard about house flipping in the past, but never the extent he presented. Even though, as he said, the maps were not completely accurate, it still said a great deal about where the flipping was happening.
It taught me much about the proper way to obtain records for an investigation. They searched through almost 18 million home purchases over the span of 10 years to look through some of the more suspicious purchases. Their criteria for a "suspicious purchase" was within 90 days or a 30% increase in value.
That being said, with all the time spent searching through the records, it was how they presented the information that caught my attention. The Internet database that showed the web of connections to the flippers was presented perfectly. They way you could move the mouse over a picture/name, and see exactly who they were connected to really drive home the point. This showed just how shady the business of flipping homes was.
When Chris showed us the links about these house flippers, I immediately thought about pending lawsuits. I assumed most of them would sue for libel and force the paper to take their investigation off their website. He explained however that they are protected because they didn't show reckless disregard for the truth.
Overall this was an interesting presentation by Chris. The teacher investigation called "Broken Trust," was scary. He found teachers exposing themselves to students and not being fired. The teachers would just go to another school. This doesn't make parents feel at ease about sending their children to public schools. Something needs to be done about this situation. All the Herald Tribune can do is present the cases to the public and hope out-cry comes about. I think if a teacher gets consistent complaints, they should have their teaching certificates revoked indefinitely. There should be some investigating done into all complaints filed.
Finally on a seperate issue, he taught us about Barbara Peterson, who is apart of the first rights foundation. She got something passed that gave reporters access to social security numbers. It would have helped Chris if it were passed earlier. He tried to find out the teacher's test scores before recieving teaching certificates. They had a list of teacher's scores but it didn't have the names next to them, rather the social security numbers. Chris may want to go back and look into this.
Knowing how well the teachers did on their tests I feel is the public and parent's rights.
How does everyone else feel about this issue? How about the house flipping, should they be in jail?
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